Impedance measurement system

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for monitoring the condition of electrodes used in biological signal measurement are provided. One method includes applying a first test signal having a first frequency to at least one of a plurality of electrodes and applying a second test signal having a second frequency to at least one of the plurality of electrodes. Both frequencies are below a frequency range associated with the biological signal. The method further includes capturing the biological signal while applying the plurality of test signals and generating an output signal that includes both the measured biological signal and the plurality of test signals. The method further includes retrieving an output amplitude for each of the plurality of test signals from the output signal and calculating an estimated impedance for each of the plurality of electrodes based on the retrieved output amplitudes of the plurality of test signals.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of biologicalsignal measurement. More particularly, the present disclosure relates tosystems of and methods for measuring impedance associated withelectrodes used in measuring biological signals.

Long term monitoring of biological signals, such as electrocardiogram(ECG) signals, presents unique challenges in maintenance of signalquality. The quality of the electrode contact with a patient can andoften does deteriorate over time. For example, a gel or other conductivesubstance used to effect electrical contact to the patient can dry out,causing the conductive properties to be affected. When the quality ofthe electrode contact deteriorates, the reliability/accuracy of thebiological signal measurement is diminished. There is a need for asystem for monitoring the quality of electrode contact that allows forcontinued monitoring after placement of electrodes without interferingwith measurement of the biological signal.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method of monitoring acondition of a plurality of electrodes used in the measurement of abiological signal. The method includes applying a plurality of testsignals to the plurality of electrodes. Applying the plurality of testsignals to the plurality of electrodes includes applying a first testsignal having a first frequency to at least one of the plurality ofelectrodes and applying a second test signal having a second frequencyto at least one of the plurality of electrodes. The first frequency maybe the same or different from the second frequency. Both the firstfrequency and the second frequency are below a frequency rangeassociated with the biological signal. The method further includescapturing the biological signal while applying the plurality of testsignals and generating an output signal that includes both the measuredbiological signal and the plurality of test signals. In someembodiments, the method may further include retrieving an outputamplitude for each of the plurality of test signals from the outputsignal and calculating an estimated impedance for each of the pluralityof electrodes based on the retrieved output amplitudes of the pluralityof test signals.

Another embodiment relates to a system for monitoring a condition of aplurality of electrodes used in the measurement of a biological signal.The system includes a circuit configured to apply a plurality of testsignals to the plurality of electrodes. The circuit is configured toapply a first test signal having a first frequency to at least one ofthe plurality of electrodes and apply a second test signal having asecond frequency to at least one of the plurality of electrodes. Thefirst frequency may be the same or different from the second frequency.Both the first frequency and the second frequency are below a frequencyrange associated with the biological signal. The circuit is furtherconfigured to capture the biological signal while applying the pluralityof test signals and generate an output signal that includes both themeasured biological signal and the plurality of test signals. In someembodiments, the method may be further configured to retrieve an outputamplitude for each of the plurality of test signals from the outputsignal and calculate an estimated impedance for each of the plurality ofelectrodes based on the retrieved output amplitudes of the plurality oftest signals.

Another embodiment relates to a system for measuring anelectrocardiogram (ECG) signal. The system includes a plurality ofelectrodes and a circuit including a microprocessor and a DC amplifier.The circuit is configured to apply a plurality of test signals to theplurality of electrodes. The circuit is configured to apply a first testsignal having a first frequency to at least one of the plurality ofelectrodes and apply a second test signal having a second frequency toat least one of the plurality of electrodes. The first frequency may bethe same or different from the second frequency. Both the firstfrequency and the second frequency are less than 0.5 Hz and are below afrequency range associated with the ECG signal. The circuit is furtherconfigured to capture the ECG signal while applying the plurality oftest signals and generate, using the DC amplifier, an output signal thatincludes both the measured ECG signal and the plurality of test signals.The circuit is further configured to retrieve an output amplitude foreach of the plurality of test signals from the output signal and tocalculate an estimated impedance for each of the plurality of electrodesbased on the retrieved output amplitudes of the plurality of testsignals. The system further includes a display device configured todisplay a visual representation of the ECG signal and to display aquantitative indication of a condition of the plurality of electrodes tothe user. The quantitative indication is based on the calculatedimpedances for the plurality of electrodes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for monitoring the condition ofone or more electrodes used in measuring a biological signal accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a process for monitoring the condition ofone or more electrodes according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a measurement circuit according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application isnot limited to the details or methodology set forth in the descriptionor illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that theterminology is for the purpose of description only and should not beregarded as limiting.

Referring generally to the figures, systems and methods that may be usedto monitor the impedance of electrodes used in measuring biologicalsignals (e.g., electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, electroencephalogram(EEG) signals, etc.) are provided according to exemplary embodiments.Electrode contact quality may deteriorate over time after the electrodeshave been applied to a patient, resulting in diminishing accuracy of themeasured biological signals. From time to time, electrodes may need tobe repositioned or replaced to ensure the accuracy of the measuredsignals. Some systems are configured to test the contact impedance ofthe electrodes at the time of application of the electrodes. While thismay help ensure that the initial contact between the electrodes and thepatient is good, application-time measurement does not reliably forecastthe long term condition of electrode contact quality.

Some systems are configured to monitor the electrodes after applicationby applying test signals used to measure the impedance associated withthe electrodes. Such systems may utilize test signals that interferewith the measurement of the biological signal and require thatmonitoring of the biological signal be interrupted to test the electrodeimpedance. Interruption of monitoring of the biological signal isundesirable. Manually interrupting monitoring of the biological signalimposes burdens on health care providers, particularly since the timeinterval to deterioration of electrode contact quality (e.g.,unacceptable increased electrode impedance) may not be readilypredicted. Automatically interrupting monitoring of the biologicalsignal presents risks that important events, such as those that are thepurpose of the monitoring, may be missed while the electrodes are beingtested.

The systems and methods of the present disclosure allow for testing theimpedance of multiple electrodes concurrent with measuring thebiological signal without interfering with the biological signalmeasurement (e.g., such that, during at least part of the time in whichthe biological signal is being measured, one or more of the electrodesare also being tested). Multiple test signals may be applied to theelectrodes being tested. A first test signal may be applied to at leastone electrode, and a second test signal may be applied to at least oneother electrode. A frequency of the test signals may be below afrequency range associated with the biological signal being measured. Atleast a portion of the biological signal may be captured while one ormore of the test signals are being applied, and an output signal may begenerated that includes both the test signals (e.g., lower-frequencycomponents of the output signal) and the measured biological signal(e.g., higher-frequency components of the output signal). The outputamplitude for each of the test signals may be retrieved, and anestimated impedance for each of the electrodes may be calculated basedon the output amplitudes. In some embodiments, the first test signal mayhave a first frequency (e.g., 0.05 Hz) and the second test signal mayhave a second frequency (e.g., 0.025 Hz) that is different from thefirst frequency. In some such embodiments, the test signals may beapplied simultaneously, and the output from the test signals may berecovered based on the different frequencies of the test signals. Insome embodiments, the first and second test signals may have the samefrequency and may be applied at different times (e.g., consecutively).In some embodiments, a quantitative indication (e.g., impedance value,percentage of initial value, or other quantitative indicator) of thecondition of the electrodes may be generated based on the estimatedimpedances and may be provided to the user (e.g., on a display). In someembodiments, the estimated impedances may be compared to a thresholdimpedance, and an alert may be generated indicating to the user thatthere is a problem with one of the electrodes when the estimatedimpedance exceeds the threshold value.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a system 100 that may be used to measure abiological signal (e.g., ECG, EEG, etc.) of a patient is providedaccording to an exemplary embodiment. The biological signal may bemeasured by a measurement circuit 105 using two or more electrodes 110connected to an input interface 150. Electrodes 110 may be placed atdifferent locations on the body of the patient, such as at one or morelocations on the chest, one or more locations on the limbs (e.g., armsand/or legs), one or more locations on the head, etc. The biologicalsignal may be measured across two or more of electrodes 110. In someembodiments, the biological signal being measured may represent activityof the heart (e.g., ECG signals). In some embodiments, the biologicalsignal being measured may represent brain activity (e.g., EEG signals).

Measurement circuit 105 is configured to monitor the quality of theelectrode contact with a patient by measuring an impedance associatedwith each of electrodes 110. Measurement circuit 105 is configured toapply test signals to electrodes 110 and, based on the output amplitudesassociated with the test signals, estimate an impedance associated witheach of the electrodes. Measurement circuit 105 is configured to allowapplication of the test signals and estimation of the electrodeimpedances while the biological signal is being measured (e.g.,simultaneous with measurement of the biological signal) withoutinterrupting measurement of the biological signal and without degradingthe quality of the measured biological signal.

Measurement circuit 105 may be implemented using hardware (e.g.,electronic circuitry), software (e.g., instructions stored on a computeror machine-readable medium that are executable by a processor), or acombination of hardware and software. In some implementations,measurement circuit 105 may include a processor 120 (e.g., any generalpurpose or special purpose processor) configured to execute instructionsstored in a memory 130 (e.g., any computer or machine-readable storagemedium configured to store instructions and/or other data). Memory 130may include one or more modules configured to perform various functionsof measurement circuit 105. For example, a signal processing module 135may be configured to process one or more signals generated usingmeasurement circuit 105 and/or electrodes 110 (e.g., to extract outputtest signals from a combined output signal). An impedance calculationmodule 140 may be configured to calculate impedance values associatedwith each of electrodes 110 based on the output signal componentscorresponding with the test signals. In some embodiments, an alertingmodule 145 may be configured to generate alerts when one or moreelectrodes 110 have an impedance that exceeds a threshold (e.g.,indicating that the electrode may no longer be taking accuratemeasurements of the biological signal).

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a process 200 that may be used bysystem 100 (e.g., measurement circuit 105) to monitor the impedance ofelectrodes 110 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring now toboth FIGS. 1 and 2, circuit 105 may apply at least two test signals toelectrodes 110 (205). The test signals include at least a first testsignal having a first frequency and a second test signal having a secondfrequency. In some embodiments, the first frequency and the secondfrequency may be different frequencies (e.g., 0.025 Hz and 0.05 Hz).Such embodiments may allow system 100 to test multiple electrodes at thesame time (e.g., within the same measurement window), and system 100 mayrecover the output associated with the test signals based on thedifferent frequencies. In some embodiments, the first frequency and thesecond frequency may be substantially the same frequency. In suchembodiments, the test signals may be applied at different times (e.g.,consecutively), such that the output associated with the first signalmay be recovered before the second signal is applied. Both the firstfrequency and the second frequency may be below (e.g., substantiallybelow, such as at least an order of magnitude below) a frequency rangeassociated with the biological signal. For example, for implementationsin which the biological signal being measured is an ECG signal, thefrequencies of the test signals may be below approximately 0.5 Hz (e.g.,the minimum heart rate of the human heart). In some embodiments, thefirst test signal may have a frequency of approximately 0.025 Hz, andthe second test signal may have a frequency of approximately 0.05 Hz. Insome embodiments, both the first and second signals may have frequenciesthat are one or several orders of magnitude (e.g., 1000-fold) lower thana bandwidth or average frequency of the biological signal. The testsignals may be applied over a measurement timeframe or window. Forexample, if a 0.025 Hz signal and a 0.05 Hz signal are applied, themeasurement timeframe may be at least 40 seconds. In someimplementations, the measurement timeframe may be at least 20 seconds. Arelatively long measurement timeframe may help reduce the impact ofnoise on the measured signals.

Use of test signal frequencies below the frequency range of thebiological signal allows the electrode impedance to be testedsimultaneous with acquisition of the biological signal (e.g., such thatat least part of the biological signal is measured while at least onetest signal is being applied and/or measured) without interfering withand/or degrading the quality of the biological signal measurement. Somesystems may utilize test signal frequencies above the bandwidth of thebiological signal (e.g., for ECG signals, above an upper ECG bandwidthlevel, such as 150 Hz). Such systems may be subject to certaindrawbacks. For example, the skin-electrode interface has both capacitiveand resistive components. A large capacitive component can effectivelymask a large resistive component if the impedance is measured at a highfrequency. Additionally, some aspects of the biological signal, such aselectronic pacemaker pulses, are typically detected by their very highfrequency components. A high frequency test signal may interfere witheffective pacemaker pulse detection.

Some systems may utilize a test signal frequency within the bandwidth ofthe biological signal. Such systems may require that measurement of thebiological signal be suspended in order to test the impedance of theelectrodes and suffer drawbacks associated with suspending measurementof the biological signal as described above. Some such systems mayutilize switching devices to switch between modes in which electrodetesting is performed and modes in which biological signal acquisition isperformed. Some systems may avoid suspension of measurement by utilizingtest signals at a particular frequency within the bandwidth andfiltering out the test signal frequencies from the output signal beforegenerating the final measured biological signal. Because the testfrequencies are within the bandwidth of the biological signal, a portionof the biological signal data is lost when the test frequencies arefiltered out. The filtered portions that are lost may include importantportions of the biological signal.

Measurement circuit 105 utilizes test signal frequencies that are belowthe frequency range of the biological signal. By using low frequencies,the test signals applied to electrodes 110 to measure the impedances ofelectrodes 110 do not interfere with high frequency signal componentsrelating to the biological signal (e.g., pacemaker pulses) in oneembodiment. Utilizing low test frequencies may also reduce or eliminatethe possibility of capacitive masking of the resistive component of theelectrode-skin connection. Simultaneous biological signal acquisitionand electrode impedance testing may be conducted, and the testfrequencies are below the bandwidth of the biological signal, so theoutput biological signal and test signals may be retrieved withoutdegrading the quality of the measured biological signal. In someembodiments, measurement circuit 105 may not include switching devicesused to transition between electrode impedance testing and biologicalsignal acquisition modes as measurement circuit 105 is configured toperform impedance testing and biological signal acquisitionsimultaneously. In some embodiments, use of low frequency test signalsmay help reduce the impact of noise in the impedance measurementsperformed by measurement circuit 105. For example, an ECG signal havingan approximately 150 Hz bandwidth may have an average noise level ofaround 15 μV. Noise is directly related to frequency. If the maximumfrequency used by the test signals is 0.05 Hz, the noise associated withthe test signals would be approximately 50 times less than the averagenoise level of the ECG signal, or approximately 0.3 μV.

In some embodiments, a neutral ground connection and two inputelectrodes may be used to measure the biological signal. Each of theinput electrodes has its own associated impedance. In order to measurethese impedances, two test signals may be used. The first test signalwith the first frequency is applied to the first electrode, and thesecond test signal with the second frequency is applied to the secondelectrode. In some embodiments, orthogonal test signals may be used. Forexample, a test signal having a frequency of approximately 0.05 Hz maybe applied to one input electrode, and a test signal having a frequencyof approximately 0.025 Hz may be applied to the other input electrode.When applied over a measurement timeframe (e.g., 40 seconds), the 0.05Hz and 0.025 Hz components of the single lead may reveal the individualelectrode impedances.

In some embodiments, more than two input electrodes may be used, and oneelectrode may serve as a reference electrode. The reference electrodereceives a first test signal having a first frequency (e.g., 0.025 Hz).The remaining input electrodes receive the second test signal having thesecond frequency (e.g., 0.05 Hz), and the impedances of these electrodesare determined from the component of the bipolar signal formed with eachelectrode and the reference electrode having the second frequency (e.g.,0.05 Hz). The impedance of the reference electrode may be determinedfrom the first frequency (e.g., 0.025 Hz) components of any of thebipolar signals.

Measurement circuit 105 may be configured to capture the biologicalsignal and generate an output signal including both the biologicalsignal and the test signals (210). The biological signal may be capturedwhile one or more of the test signals are being applied. The generatedoutput signal may be a combined signal including signal componentsassociated with the test signals and components associated with thebiological signal. For example, if 0.025 Hz and 0.05 Hz test signals areapplied and a biological signal being measured has a bandwidth of 1-150Hz, the generated output signal may include at least a first signalcomponent at a frequency of approximately 0.025 Hz corresponding to thefirst test signal, a second component at a frequency of approximately0.05 Hz corresponding to the second test signal, and a third signalcomponent in a frequency range of approximately 1-150 Hz correspondingto the captured biological signal. In some implementations, measurementcircuit 105 may include a DC amplifier 125 and/or an analog-to-digitalconverter configured to generate the output signal.

Measurement circuit 105 may be configured to retrieve the outputamplitudes of the test signals from the generated output signal (215).In some embodiments, measurement circuit 105 may retrieve the outputamplitudes by filtering out the components of the output signal havingfrequencies corresponding to the test signals. For example, measurementcircuit may apply a demodulation at the frequencies (e.g., 0.025/0.05Hz) followed by a low pass filter to recover a voltage proportional tothe impedance.

In some embodiments, processor 120 may be configured to determine theoutput amplitudes by performing signal analysis on the output signal(e.g., using signal processing module 135). For example, the amplitudesof the output signal corresponding to the test frequencies may bemeasured by calculating the first frequency (e.g., 0.025 Hz) and secondfrequency (e.g., 0.05 Hz) Fourier signal components (e.g., Fourier sinewave components) from a measurement window or timeframe of input data(e.g., 40 second window). The window may be aligned to start at a timeof a zero amplitude test signal. In some embodiments, leakage (e.g.,distortion of Fourier components) may be limited by applying windowingweights (e.g., Hamming coefficients) in the process of calculating thedesired Fourier component. In some embodiments, a combination (e.g.,average) of the resultant amplitudes may be used as the final amplitudeto estimate the impedance for one or more electrodes in order todecrease the impact of any noise that may be present in the outputsignal (e.g., due to the biological signal). Experimental data showsthat a 4 nanoampere amplitude sine wave current results in an impedanceamplitude noise of approximately 20 kΩ for a single 40 second windowmeasurement. In embodiments in which the first and second test signalsutilize the same frequency, the amplitudes of the output signalcorresponding to the test signals may be determined by measuring Fouriersignal component associated with the single frequency and using a longermeasurement window (e.g., such that the measurement window is longenough to measure a first output associated with the first signal and alater second output associated with the second signal).

Once the output amplitudes associated with the test signals have beendetermined, measurement circuit 105 may calculate the estimatedimpedances for each of electrodes 110 based on the amplitudes (e.g.,using impedance calculation module 140) (220). For example, the outputamplitudes may represent measured voltage levels of the componentscorresponding to the test signal frequencies, and the input currentvalues associated with the test signals may be known by measurementcircuit 105. Once the voltages and currents are known, the impedancesassociated with the electrode contacts can be determined.

In some embodiments, measurement circuit 105 may be configured togenerate a quantitative indication of the condition of electrodes 110and provide the quantitative indication to a user (e.g., via a displaydevice 115 connected to an output interface 155 of circuit 105). Thequantitative indication of the condition of electrodes 110 may be basedon the estimated impedances for electrodes 110. In some implementations,the quantitative indication may be the impedance values of electrodes110 themselves. In some embodiments, the quantitative indication may bean indication of the relative quality of the electrode connection, forexample with reference to a reference value (e.g., impedance value)representing an electrode connection in good condition or with referenceto an initial impedance value for the electrode connection measured atfirst application of the electrode. In some embodiments, thequantitative indication may be represented as a percentage, a numericalvalue, a color, or any other relative indicator of the quality of theelectrode connection.

In some embodiments, measurement circuit 105 may be configured tocompare the estimated impedances for electrodes 110 to one or morethreshold impedance values and generate an alert if the estimatedimpedances exceed a threshold (e.g., using alerting module 145) (230).The threshold value or values may represent impedance levels above whichelectrodes 110 may no longer provide accurate measurements of thebiological signal. In some embodiments, measurement circuit 105 may beconfigured to provide generated alerts on display device 115, and thealerts may indicate to the user that one or more electrodes 110 shouldbe repositioned or replaced to ensure accurate measurements of thebiological signal. In some embodiments, multiple threshold values may beused. For example, a first threshold value may be associated with anon-urgent warning suggesting that the user perform maintenance on theelectrode before the quality degrades to an unacceptable level, and asecond threshold value may be an urgent warning indicating that thequality has degraded to a level that measurements by the electrode areno longer sufficiently accurate. In some embodiments, measurementcircuit 105 may take additional actions in response to a threshold beingexceeded, such as disabling measurement of the biological signal untilthe user addresses a problem with an electrode.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a circuit diagram of a measurement circuit 300is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Circuit 300 is oneexample implementation of measurement circuit 105 and may be configuredto perform one or more functions described above with respect to circuit105 and/or process 200.

Circuit 300 includes a buffer amplifier 305, an operational amplifier310, an instrumentation amplifier 315, and an analog-to-digitalconverter (ADC) 320. An output of ADC 320 is sent to a processor 325that is configured to process the output signal. Circuit 300 mayrepresent a human body connected to a driven right leg ECG amplifierwith impedance measurement ability.

Circuit 300 illustrates the following values:

Z_(X)=ECG Lead Impedance

Z_(RA)=Right Arm Lead Impedance

Z_(RL)=Right Leg Lead Impedance

I_(X)=Current Source for ECG Lead Impedance Measurement

I_(RA)=Current Source for Right Arm Lead Impedance Measurement

V_(BODY)=Voltage Due to Body

V_(ECG)=ECG Signal of Interest

V_(ZRA)=Voltage Due to RA Lead Impedance

V_(ZX)=Voltage Due to ECG Lead Impedance

V_(OUT)=Combined Output Voltage Signal

The input impedance associated with instrumentation amplifier 315 andbuffer amplifier 305 may be assumed to be greater than Z_(X) and Z_(RA).V_(BODY) can be calculated as follows:V _(BODY) =V _(RA) +I _(RA) *Z _(RA)

The control loop formed by the high gain integrator driving the rightleg impedance forces the voltage V_(RA) to be zero (V_(RA)=0).Accordingly, the equation for calculating V_(BODY) can be modified tothe following:V _(BODY) =I _(RA) *Z _(RA)

V_(X) can be calculated as follows:V _(X) =V _(BODY) +V _(ECG) +I _(X) *Z _(X) =V _(ECG) +I _(RA) *Z _(RA)+I _(X) *Z _(X)

V_(OUT) can be calculated as follows:V _(OUT) =V _(X) −V _(RA) =V _(ECG) +I _(RA) *Z _(RA) +I _(X) *Z _(X) =V_(ECG) +V _(ZRA) +V _(ZX)

Two input signals having currents I_(X) and I_(RA) are applied toelectrodes connected to circuit 300. The currents I_(X) and I_(RA) aremodulated at two distinct frequencies (e.g., 0.05 Hz and 0.025 Hz). Theamplitudes of the frequencies may be continuously recovered from theoutput signal, such as by using a cosine transform of a moving window ofdigital samples of V_(OUT). The distinct frequencies allow formeasurement of both Z_(X) and Z_(RA). In some embodiments, Z_(X) maysymbolically represent multiple electrodes, each with its own impedance,extending the concept reflected in this example to an arbitrary numberof electrodes. The test signal driving frequencies are below thediagnostic portion of the biological signal and may be readily removedfrom V_(OUT) to effect an output biological signal with no interferencefrom the test signals. The test signal may have a very small amplitudewithout loss of efficacy because the average noise power measured over arelatively large measurement window (e.g., 20-40 seconds) (or noisedensity at the low test frequencies) is very low. The low amplitude testsignals may have less potential for constraining dynamic rangeconsiderations and less potential for interfering with otherinstrumentation connected to the same source/body.

The disclosure is described above with reference to drawings. Thesedrawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments thatimplement the systems and methods of the present disclosure. However,describing the disclosure with drawings should not be construed asimposing on the disclosure any limitations that may be present in thedrawings. The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems andprogram products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing itsoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing an existing computer processor, or by a special purpose computerprocessor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwiredsystem. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisionsof 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expresslyrecited using the phrase “means for.” Furthermore, no element, componentor method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated tothe public, regardless of whether the element, component or method stepis explicitly recited in the claims.

Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include programproducts comprising machine-readable storage media for carrying orhaving machine-executable instructions or data structures storedthereon. Such machine-readable storage media can be any available mediawhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computeror other machine with a processor. By way of example, suchmachine-readable storage media can include RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CDROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carryor store desired program code in the form of machine-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor.Combinations of the above are also included within the scope ofmachine-readable storage media. Machine-executable instructions include,for example, instructions and data which cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processingmachine to perform a certain function or group of functions. Machine orcomputer-readable storage media, as referenced herein, do not includetransitory media (i.e., signals in space).

Embodiments of the disclosure are described in the general context ofmethod steps which may be implemented in one embodiment by a programproduct including machine-executable instructions, such as program code,for example, in the form of program modules executed by machines innetworked environments. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.Machine-executable instructions, associated data structures, and programmodules represent examples of program code for executing steps of themethods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executableinstructions or associated data structures represent examples ofcorresponding acts for implementing the functions described in suchsteps.

An exemplary system for implementing the overall system or portions ofthe disclosure might include a general purpose computing device in theform of a computer, including a processing unit, a system memory, and asystem bus that couples various system components including the systemmemory to the processing unit. The system memory may include read onlymemory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM) or other non-transitorystorage medium. The computer may also include a magnetic hard disk drivefor reading from and writing to a magnetic hard disk, a magnetic diskdrive for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk, and anoptical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable opticaldisk such as a CD ROM or other optical media. The drives and theirassociated machine-readable media provide nonvolatile storage ofmachine-executable instructions, data structures, program modules, andother data for the computer.

It should be noted that although the flowcharts provided herein show aspecific order of method steps, it is understood that the order of thesesteps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps may beperformed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation willdepend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. It is understood that all such variations are within the scopeof the disclosure. Likewise, software and web implementations of thepresent disclosure could be accomplished with standard programmingtechniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish thevarious database searching steps, correlation steps, comparison stepsand decision steps. It should also be noted that the word “component” asused herein and in the claims is intended to encompass implementationsusing one or more lines of software code, and/or hardwareimplementations, and/or equipment for receiving manual inputs.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the disclosure have beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise formdisclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of theabove teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosure. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principalsof the disclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled inthe art to utilize the disclosure in various embodiments and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of monitoring a condition of a pluralityof electrodes used in the measurement of a biological signal, the methodcomprising: applying a plurality of test signals to the plurality ofelectrodes, wherein applying the plurality of test signals to theplurality of electrodes comprises applying a first test signal having afirst frequency to at least one of the plurality of electrodes andconcurrently applying a second test signal having a second frequencydifferent from the first frequency to at least one of the plurality ofelectrodes at a same time during which the first test signal is applied,wherein both the first frequency and the second frequency are below afrequency range associated with the biological signal; capturing thebiological signal while applying the plurality of test signals andgenerating an output signal that includes both the measured biologicalsignal and the plurality of test signals; retrieving an output amplitudefor each of the plurality of test signals from the output signal,retrieving the output amplitude for each of the plurality of testsignals comprising: determining the output amplitude for the first testsignal by measuring a first amplitude of a first signal component of theoutput signal corresponding to the first frequency; and determining theoutput amplitude for the second test signal by measuring a secondamplitude of a second signal component of the output signalcorresponding to the second frequency; calculating an estimatedimpedance for each of the plurality of electrodes based on the retrievedoutput amplitudes of the plurality of test signals; generating aquantitative indication of the condition of the plurality of electrodesbased on the calculated estimated impedances for the plurality ofelectrodes; and providing the quantitative indication of the conditionof the plurality of electrodes to a user.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the biological signal comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG)signal.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first frequency and thesecond frequency are both less than 0.5 Hz.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of test signals are applied over a measurementtimeframe of at least twenty seconds.
 5. The method of claim 1, whereincalculating an estimated impedance for each of the plurality ofelectrodes comprises, for each electrode, calculating a plurality ofestimated impedance values over a measurement timeframe, and wherein themethod further comprises, for each electrode, calculating a finalestimated impedance based on a combination of the plurality of estimatedimpedance values to reduce an impact of noise on the final estimatedimpedance.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the outputamplitude for each of the plurality of test signals from the outputsignal comprises calculating Fourier signal components of the outputsignal corresponding to the first frequency of the first test signal andthe second frequency of the second test signal.
 7. The method of claim1, further comprising, for each of the plurality of electrodes:comparing the estimated impedance for the electrode with a thresholdimpedance; and generating an alert separate from the quantitativeindication to the user indicating a problem with the electrode when theestimated impedance for the electrode exceeds the threshold impedance.8. The method of claim 1, wherein a measurement circuit through whichthe plurality of test signals are applied and the biological signal iscaptured does not include a switching device.
 9. The method of claim 1,wherein generating the output signal that includes both the measuredbiological signal and the plurality of test signals comprises generatingthe output signal using a DC amplifier.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of electrodes comprise two electrodes, and whereinapplying the plurality of test signals comprises applying the first testsignal to a first electrode and applying the second test signal to asecond electrode.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofelectrodes comprises at least three electrodes, wherein the at leastthree electrodes comprise a reference electrode and at least tworemaining electrodes, and wherein applying the plurality of test signalscomprises applying the first test signal to the reference electrode andapplying the second test signal to each of the at least two remainingelectrodes.
 12. A system for monitoring a condition of a plurality ofelectrodes used in the measurement of a biological signal, the systemcomprising: a circuit configured to: apply a plurality of test signalsto the plurality of electrodes, wherein the circuit is configured toapply a first test signal having a first frequency to at least one ofthe plurality of electrodes and concurrently apply a second test signalhaving a second frequency different from the first frequency to at leastone of the plurality of electrodes at a same time during which the firsttest signal is applied, wherein both the first frequency and the secondfrequency are below a frequency range associated with the biologicalsignal, capture the biological signal while applying the plurality oftest signals and generate an output signal that includes both themeasured biological signal and the plurality of test signals, retrievean output amplitude for each of the plurality of test signals from theoutput signal, retrieving the output amplitude for each of the pluralityof test signals including: determining the output amplitude for thefirst test signal by measuring a first amplitude of a first signalcomponent of the output signal corresponding to the first frequency, anddetermining the output amplitude for the second test signal by measuringa second amplitude of a second signal component of the output signalcorresponding to the second frequency, calculate, for each electrode, aplurality of estimated impedance values over a measurement timeframebased on the retrieved output amplitudes of the plurality of testsignals, and calculate, for each electrode, an estimated impedance basedon a combination of the plurality of estimated impedance values for theelectrode.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the circuit comprises amicroprocessor configured to retrieve the output amplitude for each ofthe plurality of test signals and calculate the estimated impedance foreach of the plurality of electrodes.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinthe biological signal comprises an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. 15.The system of claim 12, wherein the first frequency and the secondfrequency are both less than 0.5 Hz.
 16. The system of claim 12, whereinthe circuit is configured to calculate Fourier signal components of theoutput signal corresponding to the first frequency of the first testsignal and the second frequency of the second test signal to retrievethe output amplitudes of the first test signal and the second testsignal from the output signal.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein thecircuit is configured to: generate a quantitative indication of thecondition of the plurality of electrodes based on the calculatedestimated impedances for the plurality of electrodes, the quantitativeindication for each electrode comprising a value indicative of arelative quality of an electrode connection based on comparison of thecalculated estimated impedance to at least one of: an initial impedancevalue measured at application of the electrode; or a reference impedancevalue associated with a predetermined quality of the electrodeconnection; and provide the quantitative indication of the condition ofthe plurality of electrodes to a user.
 18. The system of claim 17,wherein the circuit is configured to, for each of the plurality ofelectrodes: compare the estimated impedance for the electrode with athreshold impedance; and generate an alert separate from thequantitative indication to the user indicating a problem with theelectrode when the estimated impedance for the electrode exceeds thethreshold impedance.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the circuitdoes not include a switching device.
 20. The system of claim 12, whereinthe circuit comprises a DC amplifier used in generating the outputsignal.
 21. A system for measuring an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal,the system comprising: a plurality of electrodes; a circuit comprising amicroprocessor and a DC amplifier, wherein the circuit is configured to:apply a plurality of test signals to the plurality of electrodes,wherein the circuit is configured to apply a first test signal having afirst frequency to at least one of the plurality of electrodes andconcurrently apply a second test signal having a second frequency to atleast one of the plurality of electrodes at a same time during which thefirst test signal is applied, wherein both the first frequency and thesecond frequency are less than 0.5 Hz and are below a frequency rangeassociated with the ECG signal, capture the ECG signal while applyingthe plurality of test signals and generate, using the DC amplifier, anoutput signal that includes both the measured ECG signal and theplurality of test signals, retrieve an output amplitude for each of theplurality of test signals from the output signal, retrieving the outputamplitude for each of the plurality of test signals including:determining the output amplitude for the first test signal by measuringa first amplitude of a first signal component of the output signalcorresponding to the first frequency, and determining the outputamplitude for the second test signal by measuring a second amplitude ofa second signal component of the output signal corresponding to thesecond frequency, calculate an estimated impedance for each of theplurality of electrodes based on the retrieved output amplitudes of theplurality of test signals, generate a quantitative indication of thecondition of the plurality of electrodes based on the calculatedestimated impedances for the plurality of electrodes, the quantitativeindication for each electrode comprising a value indicative of arelative quality of an electrode connection based on comparison of thecalculated estimated impedance to at least one of: an initial impedancevalue measured at application of the electrode, or a reference impedancevalue associated with a predetermined quality of the electrodeconnection, compare the estimated impedance for the electrode with athreshold impedance, generate an alert separate from the quantitativeindication to the user indicating a problem with the electrode when theestimated impedance for the electrode exceeds the threshold impedance,and provide the quantitative indication of the condition of theplurality of electrodes and the alert to the user.
 22. The system ofclaim 21, wherein the circuit is configured to calculate Fourier signalcomponents of the output signal corresponding to the first frequency ofthe first test signal and the second frequency of the second test signalto retrieve the output amplitudes of the first test signal and thesecond test signal from the output signal.
 23. The system of claim 21,wherein the value comprises at least one of a numerical value or apercentage calculated based on the comparison of the calculatedestimated impedance to the at least one of the initial impedance valueor the reference impedance value.